CARsgen Unveils Groundbreaking Allogeneic CAR T-cell Innovations at EHA 2026

CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited, a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative CAR T-cell therapies, recently made a significant impact at the European Hematology Association's Annual Congress in 2026. The Shanghai-based company showcased two of its promising allogeneic CAR T-cell products, CT0596 and CT1190B, aimed at treating various hematologic malignancies. The details presented demonstrate both the advancements in therapeutic efficacy and safety, especially in heavily pretreated patients.

Overview of CT0596

CT0596 is designed to target BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) and was tested on eight patients suffering from relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM) and primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL). Notably, these patients had undergone a median of 3.5 previous therapies, often leading to advanced disease states, with five patients at ISS Stage III and others showing high-risk cytogenetics.

During the trial, all patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), primarily hematologic issues, a common side effect associated with CAR-T infusions. However, the trial recorded no instances of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), indicating a relatively safe profile for CT0596. Remarkably, no treatment-related fatalities were reported, nor were there any discontinuations related to adverse events.

By May 2026, after a median follow-up period of roughly 7 months, six out of eight patients maintained a response to the treatment. The efficacy results were particularly promising with five patients achieving a stringent complete response (sCR) and one patient attaining a very good partial response (VGPR) after an initial high-dose infusion. Longitudinal data revealed that all participants exhibited minimal residual disease negativity (MRD-negative) within four weeks, a pivotal indicator in clinical outcomes in hematologic cancers.

Insights on CT1190B

In another highlighted presentation, CARsgen discussed CT1190B, a product targeting CD19/CD20 and involving thirteen patients, with a broad array of hematologic malignancies. Similar to the previous trial, participants had extensive treatment histories (median of three prior therapies), and the results were encouraging. The trial achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 91.7%, including a complete response (CR) rate of 66.7%, as most patients reported some form of response at various dosing levels, particularly at 4.5×10⁸ and 6.0×10⁸ cell doses.

Adverse effects occurred mostly in hematological forms but were generally manageable, with no significant infections or severe side effects noted during follow-up. Additionally, the product demonstrated notable CAR T-cell expansion, with median peak cell levels far exceeding those observed in existing autologous CAR-T therapies available on the market, underscoring the potential of CT1190B.

Future Directions

Both CT0596 and CT1190B are heralded as innovative products stemming from CARsgen's proprietary technology, THANK-u Plus® platform, which aims to tackle the unmet clinical needs in CAR T-cell therapy, especially in cases of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. This significant academic visibility and positive early results set the stage for CARsgen’s planned Phase Ib trials for R/R MM and primary PCL in 2026 for CT0596, and similarly for CT1190B designed for R/R B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conclusion

With these developments, CARsgen Therapeutics stands at the forefront of CAR T-cell innovation, aspiring to establish itself as a leader in providing groundbreaking therapies that potentially transform the landscape of cancer treatment. The promising data presented in EHA 2026 represents not just hope for the future of cancer therapy but also highlights a commitment to research and development capable of addressing critical gaps in the treatment of complex and aggressive cancers.